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Would-be thieves are busted for meth labs

POULSBO  An attempted theft at Central Market turned into the discovery of a portable meth lab Friday.

In the late afternoon of Feb. 27, Poulsbo Police Department officers received a call from a security guard at Central Market reporting an attempted theft said PPD spokesperson Sgt. Bill Playter. Three men, 34-year-old James Willey of Poulsbo, 31-year-old Nathan Lindquist of Port Orchard and 24-year-old Jeremiah Enderud of Port Orchard, had unsuccessfully attempted to forcibly open the stores secure antihistamine cupboard near the pharmacy.

When officers arrived, the men left the store in a 1978 Chevrolet van owned by Enderud. Officers followed the van south on State Highway 305 until they pulled into the parking lot of Centrals sister store Poulsbo Market.

Playter said it was Officer Troy Grossman who made the stop and who noticed the tell-tale chemical smell that indicates the presence of methamphetamine, a synthetic stimulant often referred to as meth.

Officer Daniel LaFrance, who often works in drug detection with K-9 Officer Cole and a detective from the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) were also called to the scene. Cole was not used in this case, as the scene posed a possible health threat for the canine.

Upon searching the van, officers found items like lithium batteries, a kit with pipes, baggies containing a white powder and several plastic containers containing portable meth labs.

Meth, which can be smoked, snorted, eaten and injected, is typically made from ingredients such as over-the-counter cold and asthma medications, red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, battery acid, lye, lantern fuel, and antifreeze. It can be produced in portable labs about the size of a small suitcase. Although such finds are rare for Poulsbo, Playter said theyre becoming a much more frequent sight.

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